Ph.D. Training Program in Basic Immunology

描述(由申请人提供)：梅奥研究生院免疫学博士培训计划的主要目标是培养杰出的独立研究人员，以指导学术界、行业或政府实验室的研究计划。目前有25名博士前学生在生物医学博士项目的免疫学轨道上注册。17名资金雄厚的调查人员组成了培训教师。另外四名免疫学家正在积极招聘中。制定了针对本科生和应届大学毕业生的研究计划，以在主流和代表性不足的少数族裔候选人中招收优秀的研究生。拟议的博士培训包括严格的教学课程，并强调研究、培训和沟通技能。在最初的两年里，免疫学学生在生物化学、分子生物学和细胞生物学方面发展了坚实的基础知识，并获得了免疫学方面的高级培训。在选择实验室进行论文研究之前，学生需要完成至少3次的实验室轮换。学生的第二年致力于开发一个论文项目，最终是一份书面提案，其中描述了论文研究中要追求的问题、意义和方法。在第二年结束时，综合的笔试和口试被用来评估学生的进步和从事研究工作的能力。一个由五名教职员工组成的委员会每年与学生会面两次，指导和监督学生的进步。重点是在高质量的期刊上发表研究成果，并在国家会议上介绍这项工作。完成博士课程的平均时间约为5.3年。 指导学生寻找优秀的博士后培训机会。在我们项目的30名博士毕业生中，80%的人目前是学术界(60%)或工业界(20%)的独立调查人员。剩下的三名毕业生是老牌实验室的职业科学家，两人已经从学术职位过渡到临床职业生涯。该项目继续吸引优秀的学生，2005年有6名新的梅奥研究生选择免疫学博士学位。我们请求为下一个供资期间的4个培训职位提供支助。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The primary goal of the Mayo Graduate School Ph.D. Training Program in Immunology is to develop outstanding independent investigators to direct research programs in academia, industry, or government laboratories. Twenty-five predoctoral students are currently enrolled in the Immunology track of the Biomedical Sciences Ph.D. Program. 17 well-funded investigators comprise the training faculty. Four additional immunologists are being actively recruited. Research programs targeting undergraduates and new college graduates have been developed to recruit outstanding graduate students among mainstream and under-represented minority candidates. The proposed Ph.D. training includes a rigorous didactic curriculum and emphasizes research training and communication skills. During the first two years, Immunology students develop strong fundamental knowledge in biochemistry, molecular biology, and cell biology and acquire advanced training in Immunology. Students complete a series of at least 3 laboratory rotations before selecting a laboratory for their thesis research. The student's second year is dedicated to developing a thesis project, culminating in a written proposal delineating the questions, significance, and approaches to be pursued in the thesis research. At the end of the second year, comprehensive written and oral qualifying exams are used to evaluate student progress and aptitude for a career in research. A committee of five faculty members meets with the student twice a year to mentor and supervise the student's progress. Publication of research findings in quality journals and presentation of this works at national meetings is emphasized. The average time to completion of the Ph.D. Program is approximately 5.3 years. Students are mentored to identify outstanding postdoctoral training opportunities. 80% of the 30 Ph.D. graduates from our program, who have now finished their fellowship training, are currently independent investigators in academia (60%) or industry (20%). Three of the remaining graduates are career scientists in established laboratories and two have transitioned from academic positions to clinical careers. The program continues to attract outstanding students with 6 new Mayo graduate students selecting the Immunology Ph.D. track in 2005. We request support for 4 training positions for the next funding period.